William M. Olson Family

William was born March 4, 1889 in Eastlake, Michigan to Swedish parents, Alec and Johannah Olson.  They had nine children, William was their fourth child.

Emma M. Kruse derives from German origins.  Her parents both immigrated in 1883 from Olderburg, Germany.  They first settled in Chicago, later went to Manistee, Michigan.  Dietrick and Anna Kruse had eight children.  Emma was their fifth child.

William, yet better known as Bill in Hannaford, North Dakota was a sportsman.  When in Michigan he pitched baseball for the lower peninsula of Michigan, also was an expert ice skater.

In his courting days in Michigan, in the winter he skated seven miles across the bay to see Emma, in the summer he rowed an old boat from Eastlake to Manistee to see Emma.

In the year 1915 Bill went to Hannaford, North Dakota.  He went looking for work, secured a job as Section Hand on the Great Northern Railroad.

Emma came to Hannaford later, and they were married in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Bill was offered and accepted a job in the Farmers Grain Elevator as Assistant Manager.  This work he held for thirteen years,

The children born to Bill and Emma are: 

1.     Mae, Florence, Gordon, Edith and Ralph.

Depression came, forces were cut, and Bill was out of a job.  Bill accepted every job available, did carpenter work, sharpened saws, anything to care for his family.  Next came W. P. A. days in the area.

Bill's sister Freda Palm wrote Bill that work in the Anaconda Montana Copper Smelter looked good.  Bill at the time was doing carpenter work.

Gordon, the oldest son of Bill and Emma, had just graduated from the Hannaford High School, no work to be had for him, so he told his parents, "I'm going to Montana and see about work".  Gordon hitch-hiked to Anaconda with about $2.00 in his pocket.  He went to work at the Smelter, he wrote his parents to come out there.

In 1941 Bill and Emma and four children moved to Anaconda, Montana.

Bill worked at the Smelter until he passed away in 1952, age 61, of cancer.

Emma maintained the home for the family.  She was known for her excellent baking, also a seamstress.  She did these things, making extra spending money.

Emma now 82 resides in Anaconda, Montana in a Senior Citizen's Apartment building.  Still baking for others, an art she loves.

Bill and Emma's family at the present writing is: 

Mae, in St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Florence, in Dillon, Montana

Gordon, in Anaconda, Montana

Edith, in Olivia, Minnesota

Ralph at the age of 43 passed away from cancer at Lander, Wyoming.  Also - many Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 152